An Upcoming SCOTUS Case Could Reshape Redistricting Permanently

Right now, the battle over redistricting is centered here in Texas. But there is actually another case in Louisiana that is going to heard (again) by the U.S. Supreme Court that may settle the issue of how maps are drawn, once and for all.

"The issue of whether it's somehow unconstitutional to use race at all in the redistricting process" said The Heritage Foundation's Hans von Spakovsky.

Basically, in Louisiana, a group claimed that there needed to be two 'black districts'. And then another group sued the state and said that the district maps were racist.

Needless to say, it's a pretty significant case, which is why SCOTUS is really taking their time with it.

"They were supposed to issue a decision by June" Spakovsky told KTRH, "Instead, they came out and did something that's very rare. They said they we're not going to issue decision, we want to hear arguments for a second time."

Those arguments will be heard in the fall, but Spakovsky says the outcome should already be decided.

"Race should not be used at all in the redistricting process" he said, "I think that would be in full compliance with the intent and language of the 14th amendment. The people who would object the most to that of course are, the Democrats."

It's time for SCOTUS to step in and send a clear message. The arguments will heard again in the fall, with the big decision set to be announced next June, before the midterms.